LIVERPOOL have beaten Arsenal at the Emirates.
Diogo Jota fired home at Aaron Ramsdale’s near post before Roberto Firmino added a second on what turned out to be a comfortable evening for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
That’s all from the Emirates
So, the mission is clear for Liverpool. Win every game possible. And for Arsenal, well, much the same really.
Thank you for reading, and goodnight!
Just one point in it
Whoever you support, this is exciting.
Liverpool have won their last nine, and in another nine games time either Liverpool or Manchester City will be crowned Premier League Champions.
With both teams still to play each other, it could go either way. Who are you backing?
Our performance doesn’t reflect the result – Mikel Arteta
Scoring goal was Arsenal’s problem this evening, and Arteta knows it.
Here’s what he had to say:
In the boxes, that’s where they won the game. They had two chances and scored two goals. We had chances but didn’t score. But the rest we went toe to toe with the best team in the league right now. Our performance doesn’t reflect the result… If Odegaard puts that in the net, it is. different game. I am very proud of the boys.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal boss
Klopp defends Trent
Klopp was passionate in his post match interview when talking about his precious right-back. Questions have been raised regarding Alexander-Arnold’s ability to defend, but the Liverpool boss was not having any of it after his performance against Martinelli this evening. Here’s what he had to say:
Trent defended the diagonal balls to Martinelli incredibly. Martinelli is such a talented boy, he is really tricky. If anybody says Trent cannot defend, come to me and I will kick him down, honestly I cannot hear that any more! I don’t know what the boy has to do.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool boss
Full time at the Emirates
So, it’s nine in a row for Liverpool who go one point behind Manchester City with a hugely important win this evening. Arsenal stay fourth, three points above their London rivals, Tottenham, with an extra game to play.
After an equal and exciting first half, Jota silenced the Arsenal fans, before an inspired substitution saw Firmino kill off Arsenal’s hope of a result. They were steady in defence and ruthless when the opportunities came their way.
It wasn’t to be for Arsenal who had their moments, but weren’t able to take their chances in front of goal. The Gunners were unable to maintain their concentration once Liverpool stepped up a gear in the second half. Martinelli shone bright, but it wasn’t enough.
Full time – Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
Andre Mariner calls time on this evening’s game.
Liverpool win, and edge ever closer to Manchester City.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
93, Salah attempts to find Mane, but misses both him and Firmino and Arsenal can clean up.
Martinelli still running at defenders down the left, but it’s a throw-in to Liverpool.
Mane then picks up the ball in a good position and plays it wide to Salah who cuts inside to try and fire in a third. But it’s nicked off him at the last second and Arsenal get it away.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
90, The board goes up for three added minutes.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool – Liverpool change
89, Thiago is off for Jones. Some tactical time wasting from the spaniard as he leaves the field and soaks up the boos and applause.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
87, Chance for Martinelli!
A nice move started by Smith Rowe. Xhaka is urged to shoot but slips in Martinelli who shapes up to bend one first time. His curling effort goes narrowly wide of Allison’s post.
A bit of the Thierry Henry about that effort, it has to be said. Just not quite as clinical, yet.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
84, Firmino links up brilliantly with Robertson, but the Scottsman’s ball out to Salah is intercepted.
Arsenal get up the other end, but they can’t get past Liverpool’s back line.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
82, The Arsenal fans are booing referee, Andre Mariner for Thaigo’s follow through on Partey, but the man with the whistle isn’t interested.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool – Arsenal substitution
79, Nketiah is on for Lacazette up top.
Ten minutes to score a hat-trick, Eddie.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
79, Careless passing by Arsenal, and they give it away to Thiago. The Spaniard then plays a quick ball through to Salah, who bends a shot come cross to the back post, but Cedric is able to head it out of danger.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
77, Alexander Arnold with an outswinging corner towards Van Djik who makes contact, but his header’s blocked.
Tierney then plays a speculative ball over the top towards Lacazette, but the Frenchman can’t bring it under control.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
75, Cedric whips a cross in from the right hand side. Liverpool struggle to clear it in a messy box. But to their relief the flag goes up for offside.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool – Arsenal change
73, Saka is off and replaced by Pepe
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
73, Martinelli runs out of room.
Arsenal’s star man this evening is released by Partey down the left wing, but he is tracked well by Alexander Arnold this time, and it’s out for a goal kick.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
71, Partey is frustrated by Firmino’s challenge, and the Arsenal fanfare on their feet for every foul against them, now.
Frustration is building as Liverpool look to kill this game.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
67, All of Arsenal’s hard work in the first half has been wasted.
But you can hear the Arsenal fans in here again.
Saka plays the ball into Lacazette who can’t control it, but Smith Rowe picks up the scraps and unleashes a shot on goal. It’s blocked on it’s way but a reminder that Arsenal could get back into this.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool – Arsenal substitution
66, Odegaard is off for Smith Rowe, giving Arsenal fans something to cheer about.
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
61, Firmino taps home from close range just minutes after coming on.
Saka tries to clear, but Robertson wins it back and drives down the by-line before intelligently sliding a great ball across the 6 yard box.
Firmino pointed to where he wanted it and dispatched it cutely past Ramsdale for Liverpool’s second of the night. The Brazilian picks up a yellow for his celebrations with the crowd, not that he’ll care.
Arsenal completely undone.
GOAL! – Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
Firmino off the bench to score!
Arsenal 0-1 Liverpool – Liverpool change
57, Firmino is also on for Diaz
Arsenal 0-1 Liverpool – Liverpool substitution
57, Here comes the change. What an exit for Jota. Having just put Liverpool in front, he is replaced by Salah.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
